receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

: receiver: such as

a

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

b

: a chemical group or molecule (such as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus

Examples of receptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

New research highlights how certain coffee compounds bind to a stress-response receptor in our bodies called NR4A1, which is involved in healthy aging. — Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2026

The results suggest that the Malay Peninsula hunter-gatherers have preserved a more complete set of smell-receptor genes than the other groups studied. — Willow Zhang, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026

In a cohort study of 606,434 US veterans with type 2 diabetes published in BMJ in March 2026, starting a GLP-1 receptor agonist rather than an SGLT-2 inhibitor was associated with a 14% lower overall risk of developing a substance use disorder. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Both receptors are common on human airway cells High levels of stimulation are detrimental, the researchers wrote, whereas moderate levels indicating small amounts of time spent in cowsheds seemed to be beneficial. — Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing receptor

• alpha-receptor
• beta-receptor
• selective estrogen receptor modulator
• stretch receptor
• T cell receptor

Rhymes for receptor

• acceptor
• preceptor
• adrenoceptor
• baroreceptor
• photoreceptor
• chemoreceptor
• interceptor
• scepter
• sceptre

Kids Definition

receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

1

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

2

: a molecule (as protein) on the surface or in the inside of a cell that recognizes and joins to specific molecules causing a certain activity within the cell to begin

Medical Definition

receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

1

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

2

: a chemical group or molecule (as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus

3

: a cellular entity (as a beta-receptor or alpha-receptor) that is a postulated intermediary between a chemical agent (as a neurohormone) acting on nervous tissue and the physiological or pharmacological response